Gudu, Kuchwe face BPP’s disciplinary board tomorrow

Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) suspended Chairperson Richard Gudu and additional member Peter Kuchwe will place their hopes on the party constitution in tomorrow’s disciplinary hearing.

The two men were suspended for attending an Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) press conference claiming to represent the party. The section of the party constitution states that a member should be brought before a disciplinary hearing within 45 days.

A source said Gudu who is a long serving member of the party will argue that the disciplinary board violated the constitution by delaying the hearing whose 45 days elapsed on the 8th of January 2018. BPP secretary general Venper Galetshabiwe accused some party members for fuelling seeds of discord ahead of the disciplinary hearing. “The suspension letters issued to the two should not be misinterpreted as it clearly states that the two were suspended from the party pending a disciplinary hearing which did not stipulate the number of days”. He said those who misinterpret it to favour themselves will have themselves to blame. Quizzed as to whether the offence committed by the two can constitute to an expulsion, Galetshabiwe said their aim is not to expel any member from the party but to maintain order in the party.He continued that the resolutions to be taken against the two accused will be based on the allegations they are charged with including some past events they might have engaged in which can be construed as discrediting the good name of the party. “When someone is charged with an offence and they quickly admit such and ask for forgiveness, then the party can be prepared to forge a way forward with such a member.

“On the other hand, if a member is charged but refuses to accept any blame for his or her actions, then it will be difficult for the party to work with such an individual as he would have shown that he or she does not have the interest of the movement at heart,” he said. Gudu refused to comment saying he is a loyal member of the BPP who knows the constitution very well, and will only comment after the hearing. Kuchwe revealed that he will never plead guilty when he knows that he is not in the wrong irrespective of whether he will be expelled from the party or not.

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